3 ms·

Instead of DHA supplimentation, have the patient go on a low fat diet for three days before anesthesia. Or, possibly, not worry about it -- how many patients e

by gumby 3y ago

Instead of DHA supplimentation, have the patient go on a low fat diet for three days before anesthesia. Or, possibly, not worry about it -- how many patients expect to make difficult post-operative decisions? They expect to be woozy due to painkillers anyway.

wrs 3y ago
Both of my parents had surgeries in their 80s that were followed by severe post-operative cognitive dysfunction that lasted the rest of their lives. This wasn't normal dementia, this was a sudden and apparently permanent step change in cognition. Subsequently, I discovered the phenomenon is pretty common, but hardly being studied at all. It seemed the surgeons say it's an anesthesia problem and the anesthetists say it's a surgical problem, so nobody studies it. Anyway, its good to see somebody paying attention, because I want this fixed before it happens to me!
- rhombocombus 3y ago
  Anecdotally I had general anesthesia a couple times in my 30s and both times I felt like I came out of it permanently stupider. No complications or other observable side effects either. I’ve done fine in spite of it but this makes me interested again!!
  - wumeow 3y ago
    I feel like if this was just caused by anesthesia, it would be a lot more common. Think of how many people go in for a colonoscopy each year.
    - gumby 3y ago
      In Europe, anesthesia is uncommon for colonoscopies. Probably a good idea. https://www.sandiegocan.org/2019/02/07/you-arent-crazy-to-want-a-sedation-free-colonoscopy/ https://www.sandiegocan.org/2019/02/07/you-arent-crazy-to-wa...
  - gumby 3y ago
    Anecdotally: I had surgery under general a couple of years ago no side effects. I’m 60. Anesthesia is poorly understood. How can a noble gas be anesthetic? We understand it so poorly that both your experience and mine could be common
  - wrs 3y ago
    The few studies seem to show it’s not correlated with anesthesia. There was a supposed “pumphead syndrome” that blamed cardiopulmonary bypass machines for it, but one of the few studies done didn’t find that correlation either. The most plausible thing I’ve seen is that it’s somehow an effect of inflammation, as more and more things seem to be. Surgery is a major trauma, and although you aren’t awake for it, your body is just as traumatized.

by gumby 3y ago

wrs 3y ago

Both of my parents had surgeries in their 80s that were followed by severe post-operative cognitive dysfunction that lasted the rest of their lives. This wasn't normal dementia, this was a sudden and apparently permanent step change in cognition. Subsequently, I discovered the phenomenon is pretty common, but hardly being studied at all. It seemed the surgeons say it's an anesthesia problem and the anesthetists say it's a surgical problem, so nobody studies it. Anyway, its good to see somebody paying attention, because I want this fixed before it happens to me!

rhombocombus 3y ago
Anecdotally I had general anesthesia a couple times in my 30s and both times I felt like I came out of it permanently stupider. No complications or other observable side effects either. I’ve done fine in spite of it but this makes me interested again!!
- wumeow 3y ago
  I feel like if this was just caused by anesthesia, it would be a lot more common. Think of how many people go in for a colonoscopy each year.
  - gumby 3y ago
    In Europe, anesthesia is uncommon for colonoscopies. Probably a good idea. https://www.sandiegocan.org/2019/02/07/you-arent-crazy-to-want-a-sedation-free-colonoscopy/ https://www.sandiegocan.org/2019/02/07/you-arent-crazy-to-wa...
- gumby 3y ago
  Anecdotally: I had surgery under general a couple of years ago no side effects. I’m 60. Anesthesia is poorly understood. How can a noble gas be anesthetic? We understand it so poorly that both your experience and mine could be common
- wrs 3y ago
  The few studies seem to show it’s not correlated with anesthesia. There was a supposed “pumphead syndrome” that blamed cardiopulmonary bypass machines for it, but one of the few studies done didn’t find that correlation either. The most plausible thing I’ve seen is that it’s somehow an effect of inflammation, as more and more things seem to be. Surgery is a major trauma, and although you aren’t awake for it, your body is just as traumatized.